Fence-post.



PATENTED APR, 3, 1906 H. L. FELL. FENCE POST.

APPLIOATION 211.21) SEPT. 18, 1905.

wifweoaes d i gzww, 19

UN ITED STATES PATENT o EroE.

HENRY L. FELL, or BATTLE CREEK, MlCHIGAN.

FENCE-POST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 3, 1906.

Application filed September 18, 1905. Serial No: 278,905.

erence being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is an improvement in posts, poles, &c., having bases of one material, preferably concrete, and uprights of another ma terial, preferably wood; and its object is to provide a post or pole which will be strong, firm, durable, easily planted in situ, and easily renewed or repaired, the construction being such that the wooden uprights can be readily removed when worn and replaced by new uprights without having to remove the bases from the earth. The bases, moreover, can be planted in position and the uprights subsequently attached thereto, thus facilitating handling and transportation of material, and the uprights need not be so heavy or costly as when they are planted directly in the ground.

Further objects of the invention are to so construct the bases that the uprights will center themselves therein and the lower ends of the uprights be firmly held in place by the natural contact between the parts; also, to provide means for holding the upright vertical relative to the base, while permitting but a small part of the upright to contact with the base, and insulating the lower end or part of upright in the base by an airspace, which will protect the lower end of'upright from the earth and moisture, and thus prolong its life; also, to provide a suitable top plate for the base, which plate surrounds the post and closes the air-space.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description of the posts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and the essential features for which protection is desired are set forth in the claims.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of the preferred form of post. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2 2, Fig. 1, looking down, with the top plate removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a modified form of post; Fig. 4, a sectional view on line 4 4, Fig. 3, looking down; and Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a slight modification of Fig. 1'.

The base A is preferably formed of concrete or other plastic material which can be molded into the desired shape. It is preferably slightly conical and larger at top than at bot= I tom. As shown in Fig. 1, it is hollow, having a central conical opening B larger at top than at bottom, so as to contact with and retain the lower end of the upright C, preferably of wood, which can be driven into the base afterthe latter is planted in situ and will wedge in the lower contracted end of the base B, as shown. The upright C is secured against lateral movement or tilting relative to the base, preferaby by means of the oppositely disposedU-shaped'clamps D D, which embrace opposite sides of the upright, and the limbs of the clamps project through apertures 01'' notches a in the upper end of the base and are secured by nuts d, tie-plates E being strung on the ends of the clamps exterior to the base, so as to hold thelegs together and afford a firm solid bearing against the sides of the base, as shown. It will be seen by referring to Fig. 2 that the upright is held securely against lateral movement by the clamps, and only the lower end of the upright has any direct contact with the base and is held very securely and firmly by reason of the tapering bore of the base, and the heavier the upright or weight thereon the more securely is its lower end held in place.

It will be noted that byreason of the described construction there is an air-space around the lower end of the upright, which serves to insulate its lower end from the concrete and earth and keeps the upright dry and prevents moisture seeping thereto through the base. Any moisture or water entering the base will drain below the up right and escape, as is obvious To prevent rain and weather entering the upper end of base, it may be closed by a top plate of metal or other suitable material, which is fitted around the upright and to the top of base. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a metal plate F is used having an exterior flange f, that fits around the upper end of the base and protects it from injury. Where such metal top plates are used, the flange of the cap may serve the office of the tie-plates E, the legs of the clamps projecting through apcrttres in the flange, as shown in Fig. 5.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 the bore of the base is smallest at or below the center and enlarges toward both ends of the base, allowing the upright to wedge in the base, as in Fig. 1. In this modification the clamps D are dispensed with and the up right is held in position by the top plate G alone, which is substantially similar to top plate F; but its depending flange 9 may be split, as shown, and provided with projecting ears 9' on its extremities, through which ears passes a tie-bolt H, that can be tightened by a nut It, so as to clamp the flange g tightly around the upper end of base and secure the plate firmly thereto.

In each case it will be noted that the upright is centered in the base by its lower end wedging in the conical bore of the base, and it is kept in vertical position relative to the base by devices attached to the upper end of the base, but preferably leaving an air-space around the lower part of upright within the base, which space is closed by a top plate which excludes the weather.

Obviously the size and proportions of the base and upright may be varied to suit the constructor, and the base and upright may be of any desired cross-section, although I have shown the bases cylindric in cross-section and the uprights rectangular in crosssection.

The invention is particularly designed for fence-posts, telegraph and telephone poles, and similar constructions, being especially iiseful in marshy ground and where timber is c ear.

The bases may be formed in am or may be manufactured wherever the materials can be conveniently obtained.

Having thus described my invention, what I therefore claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon, is

1. In a post, the combination of a .base having a conical bore of largest diameter at top, an upright having its lower end wedged in the base, and clamps secured to the upper part of base and engaging the upright so as to hold it in vertical position, substantially as described.

2. In a post, the combination of a base having a bore, an upright having its lower end seated in the bore, and clamps engaging the upright above its lower end, and secured to the adjacent sides of the base, substantially as described.

3. In a post, the combination of a base having a conical bore, an upright having its lower end seated in the contracted portion of the bore, and opposite clamps embracing the upright above its lower end and secured to the adjacent sides of the base, substantially as described.

4. In a post, the combination of a base having a bore, an upright having its lower end seated in the bore, clamps engaging the upright above its lower end and secured to the adjacent sides of the base, and. a top plate covering the clamps and base.

5. In a post, the combination of a hollow base, an upright having its lower end wedged in the bore, clamps engaging the upright above its lower end and having their legs attached to the adjacent sides of the base, and tie-plates and nuts on said clamps, substantially as described.

6. In a post, the combination of a tapered base having a conical bore largest at its upper end, an upright of smaller size than the upper part of the bore and having its lower end wedged in the bore, clamps embracing opposite sides of the upright above its lower end and having their legs secured: to the adjacent sides of the base, and a top plate, substantially as described.

7. In a post, the combination of the base having a conical bore, an upright having its lower end wedged into the lower part of the bore, means for holding the upright in vertical position relative to the base, while leaving an air-space around the major part of the upright in the base.

8. In a post, the combination of a base having a conical bore, a cover for the upper part of base, an upright extending through the cover and having its lower end wedged in the conical bore of the base, so as to leave a dry air-space around the major part of the upright within the base, substantially as described.

9. In a post, the combination of a base having a conical bore, a cover for the upper part of base, an upright extending through the cover and having its lower end wedged in the conical bore of the base, so as to leave a dry air-space around the major part of the upright within the base; with clamps connected to the upright and base below the cover, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY L. FELL.

In presence of- F. C. SPAULDING, CHAS. H. KENNEDY. 

